Paul Hodgson has revealed that London Irish are desperate to make amends for last Sunday’s dismal display against Leeds Carnegie.

When the squad gathered together on Tuesday for their post-match meeting to go over the video of their 23-13 defeat it lasted a lot longer than normal.

The Exiles scrum-half said: “We spent quite a while looking over the game, trying to put a few things right.

“We always go through the video from the previous game to see where we can improve so we do not make the same mistakes next time.

“And the meeting went on longer than usual because there were a few more things to cover than normal.

“But afterwards we went out and had one of the best training sessions we have had for a long time.”

Hodgson is well aware that even if Irish win their final two league games at Gloucester and then at home to Northampton, they will still need other results to go their way to finish in the top four and qualify for the Guinness Premiership play-offs.

Saracens look likely to join Leicester and Northampton in the semi-finals, while Irish are battling it out with Wasps and Bath, who meet at Twickenham tomorrow, for the final place.

Hodgson added: “A few things have to happen for us to be in the play-offs, but we still need to win games, starting with Gloucester tomorrow.”

London Irish have confirmed the signing of 22-year-old scrum-half Darren Allinson from Cardiff Blues on a two-year contract.

The former Wales Under-18 international said: “Joining London Irish is an exciting opportunity for me. I particularly like the positive attitude adopted by the coaches and players alike.”